Police arrest four suspects over deadly Ojoo unrest

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the violent unrest that erupted in the Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, following a clash that claimed lives and disrupted commercial activities.

The command announced the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade. He said the arrests formed part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and ensure that all those responsible for the violence are identified and prosecuted.

According to the police, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, where detectives have commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident and other related criminal acts.

The unrest reportedly began on Wednesday after the alleged killing of a Yoruba man during a confrontation with individuals believed to be Hausa men in the Ojoo area. The incident quickly escalated into widespread violence, forcing residents and traders to flee as panic spread across one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial districts.

Reports indicated that another person was killed during the unrest, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Businesses were shut, vehicular movement was disrupted and security agencies were deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further violence.

Ayanlade said investigators were examining the alleged attempted robbery, the subsequent mob action, the public disturbance and every other offence connected to the incident. He assured residents that the investigation would be thorough and those found culpable would be prosecuted.

The police spokesperson appealed to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing investigations. He also warned residents against taking the law into their own hands or spreading false information capable of heightening tension.

The Oyo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to maintain law and order. The command added that anyone found to have participated in the violence would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.